Wednesday, 27 November 2013

Secondary English teacher Miss M has "nothing but admiration and respect" for teaching assistants

As a Teacher of English in a UK Secondary School, I would
struggle to do my job as effectively, without the help of teaching assistants.

They provide vital support in a number of ways: mixed
ability classes which have children with a variety of Special Education
Needs can be difficult to manage, without the support of a TA. Lower level students,
who have the help of the TA, know that they can rely on them. This has a
beneficial effect on their behaviour which helps to foster a more positive
learning environment for the rest of the students. When they have TA support,
students are calmer and display fewer behavioural issues – the TA forms strong
bonds with the student that helps the pupil feel secure. Often school is
the only place that some students can feel safe and are encouraged to adhere to
a routine - TAs play an important role in this.

The TAs at my school get heavily
involved in raising achievement. Two of them co-ordinate the Nessie Reading
programme and they have also piloted the Paired Reading
Programme where KS3 students, whose reading age is below the national average, are
paired with KS4 reading mentors, twice a week, to engage and improve their
reading skills. Both of these programmes are very successful. The TAs undertake
all the pre-testing and copious administration that is required before the
reading schemes can commence.

I have nothing but admiration and respect for teaching assistants and the crucial role that they play in
today’s education system.